No, not the beef jerky stick promoted by wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage. This is about the tool that opens a car door if you've misplaced your keys.
Slim Jims vs. New Car Locks: Do They Still Work?
Published on May 07, 2025
I first used a Slim Jim when I locked my keys inside my ’81 Subaru. I was 16, and some stranger in the parking lot happened to have the tool. But he didn’t know how to use it. Since I had seen many a car thief in ’80s action movies use them with success, I figured I’d give it a whirl. To my surprise, it actually worked as advertised.
“I’ve certainly employed a Slim Jim in my repo days, particularly with older units where keys would disappear halfway through transport,” says Alex Black, chief marketing officer at EpicVIN. “It was such a sort of coming-of-age experience for anyone working at repo lots or with tow trucks. Now, however, it’s a relic more than a tool.”
But if you have a 20th-century car or want some Miami Vice or Grand Theft Auto nostalgia, here’s how to use a Slim Jim and whether they are an option with newer vehicles.
What Is a Slim Jim?
A Slim Jim is a thin, flat strip of metal made to slide between a car window and the weatherstripping, where it pushes against the locking mechanism to unlock a car door. They are usually between one and two feet long and one to two inches wide and made from stainless steel or spring steel.
“Decades ago, cars were built with rods that went from the car’s interior door handle to the latch,” says master auto mechanic Chris “Moose” Pyle. “If you could grab that rod and pull it, the door would unlock. That’s why the Slim Jim was invented. On newer cars, give or take above 2000, this tool will not work.”
How To Use a Slim Jim to Open Your Car
Insert the Slim Jim between the window and weatherstripping, about two to three inches from the door lock.
- Move it down to the door compartment, feeling for the locking rod or latch that activates the lock; a small flashlight can help with locating it.
- Carefully hook the Slim Jim on the rod or latch. Depending on its set-up, either pull upwards to unlock the door, or pull or push the mechanism sideways to unlock the door.
- You will encounter some resistance, so pull with strength, but not force.
“It takes a lot of practice to get the hang of it and develop the feel and technique,” says auto shop owner and mechanic Alan Gelfand. “What seems to be quite simple requires the knowledge of the inner workings of each vehicle model. I have been practicing the technique for years and still have to deal with difficult cases.”
Pro Tips for Using A Slim Jim
- Use a light layer of WD-40 on the Slim Jim to help it slide more easily;
- Pace yourself, moving slowly and steadily. “If you hurry, you will overlook the mechanism or break something,” says Black.
- Hold the Slim Jim flat and parallel to the window, to avoid bending the tool and scratching the glass.
- Test it on an unlocked car first, to get a feel for it.
Common Mistakes When Using a Slim Jim
- Forcing the tool can cause weatherstripping damage, bend the Slim Jim, break door cables or deploy airbags.
- Fishing around blindly. “It’s a waste of time and may result in damage to the components,” says Gelfand.
- Using too much force, which may bend the Slim Jim or break some interior parts;
- Not being familiar with the type of locking mechanism before trying to open it.
- Using a Slim Jim on newer vehicles, most of which it won’t work on.
Also, some states and cities consider Slim Jims to be burglarious tools, so if you are not a locksmith, to use one or even possess one can be considered a crime.
“Having a Slim Jim near a car that is not your property will get you arrested in a hurry,” says Black. “Even at your car, a policeman witnessing you do this will think that the car is not owned by you. Always be prepared to provide proof of ownership.”
How To DIY a Slim Jim
To make a basic Slim Jim, you’ll need a thin piece of steel. You can buy it, or use a hacksaw blade, a metal ruler or, in some cases, even the steel from a broken windshield wiper.
- Use a set of metal cutting tools and files to shape the curved hook end;
- Sand down the sharp edges using sandpaper; and
- Put electrical tape on the handle for a grip.
Do Slim Jims Work on Modern Cars?
Usually not, because most have side-impact protection bars that block access, more complex electronic locking systems or sensors and other security features designed to prevent Slim Jim entry. Some newer cars don’t even have a mechanical locking connection anymore.
“So the Slim Jim became obsolete,” says Pyle. “However, new tools have been invented, and they too have been named Slim Jim. Although not made by the original inventor, most people locked out of their cars still say they need a ‘Slim Jim tool.'”
Alternatives to Slim Jims
If you’ve locked yourself out of your car, there may be other ways to break in. If your unlock button is on top of the door armrest, you might be able to use a coat hanger or other long-reaching tool to depress the unlock button. Pyle recommends a V-shaped rod for this, which will slip beside the glass and then turn to get better leverage for pushing the button. For doors and windows with tight tolerances, locksmiths might use plastic and inflatable door wedges, which help pry the top rear corner of the driver door open to make room for a metal rod.
“With the right tools, you can get into a car in about three minutes,” says Pyle. “The tools are available online, and YouTube has videos showing how to use them on many vehicles.”
Also, some companies, including Ford and Tesla, offer a remote unlock program. But overall, if you have a newer car, usually your best course of action is to call a locksmith.
About the Experts
- Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer, the expert on-demand platform, since 2006.
- Alan Gelfand has been the owner of German Car Depot for more than 30 years, which is an independent automotive service center in Hollywood, Florida specializing in the service and repair of German vehicles.
- Alex Black is chief marketing officer at EpicVIN. He has been a car expert for more than 15 years, working at car auctions, vehicle history providers and more.
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